Moist towelette dispenser system

ABSTRACT

A dispensing system including a main body having a closed end and a dispensing slot through the main body. A hollow center support extends from the closed end such that a receiving chamber is defined between the center support and the main body. A cover member is configured to selectively engage the main body between an opened position wherein the receiving chamber is accessible and a closed position wherein the receiving chamber is substantially sealed, wherein in the closed position, a continuous passageway extends through the cover member, the center support and the end wall. A roll of individual flushable moist towelettes interconnected to one another at perforations and rolled about a central axis and defining a central through passage are positioned within the receiving chamber with the center support extending through the central through passage and a first of the towelettes extending at least partially through the dispensing slot.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/696,494 filed on Sep. 4, 2012, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to flushable moist towelettes and a dispensersystem for storing and dispensing the towelettes. More particularly, theinvention relates to a reusable dispenser system configured to store anddispense pre-rolled, flushable moist towelettes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For improved hygiene, various flushable moist towelettes have beendeveloped. An exemplary flushable moist towelette is described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,667,635, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference. The towelettes are typically provided in a box like containerwhich can be positioned on a shelf, counter top or the like in abathroom. The towelettes are typically inter-folded with one another,such that as a towelette is pulled from the container, the nexttowelette is pulled through a dispensing opening in the container and isready for use. The container typically has a hinged lid which is closedover the dispensing opening when the towelettes are not being used.

With such dispenser systems, the box container takes up shelf or counterspace in a small room which typically has limited shelf or counterspace. Additionally, each time it is desired to utilize a flushablemoist towelette, the container lid must be opened and the container mustbe held in place as a towelette is pulled from the container. Opening ofthe lid and holding of the container creates two situations where theuser must touch the container and may thereby transfer germs to thecontainer. The next user is then susceptible to contact with thosegerms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention provides a reusable dispenser systemconfigured to store and dispense pre-rolled, flushable moist towelettes.

In one aspect, the invention provides a dispensing system including amain body having a closed end and a dispensing slot through the mainbody. A hollow center support extends from the closed end such that areceiving chamber is defined between the center support and the mainbody. A cover member is configured to selectively engage the main bodybetween an opened position wherein the receiving chamber is accessibleand a closed position wherein the receiving chamber is substantiallysealed, wherein in the closed position, a continuous passageway extendsthrough the cover member, the center support and the end wall. A roll ofindividual flushable moist towelettes interconnected to one another atperforations and rolled about a central axis and defining a centralthrough passage are positioned within the receiving chamber with thecenter support extending through the central through passage and a firstof the towelettes extending at least partially through the dispensingslot.

In another aspect, the invention provides a roll of individual flushablemoist towelettes interconnected to one another at perforations androlled about a central axis and defining a central through passageconfigured to be positioned within a dispensing system main body with acenter support therefore extending through the central through passage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitutepart of this specification, illustrate the presently preferredembodiments of the invention, and, together with the general descriptiongiven above and the detailed description given below, serve to explainthe features of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser system in accordance with afirst exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the dispenser system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is cross-sectional view along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is cross-sectional view along the line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary roll of flushable moisttowelettes in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating a rollof flushable moist towelettes positioned within the dispenser system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating anotherexemplary dispenser system in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of the dispenser system of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of another exemplary dispenser systemin accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view along the line 10-10 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view along the line 11-11 in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout.Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to betaken as a limitation on the present invention. For example, the termsfront, back, left and right are utilized herein to assist withunderstanding of relative positioning, but are not intended to belimiting to an orientation of use of the device. The following describesa preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, it should beunderstood, based on this disclosure, that the invention is not limitedby the preferred embodiment described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, an exemplary embodiment of a dispenser system 10will be described. The dispenser system 10 includes a hollow main body12 with an end wall 14 at one end thereof. The opposite end of the mainbody 12 is generally open. The main body 12 preferably has a cylindricalconfiguration but is not limited to such a configuration. A centersupport 16 extends cantilevered from the end wall 14. The center support16 is a hollow cylinder which is coaxial with an opening 18 definedthrough the end wall 14. A receiving chamber 20 is defined within themain body 12 between the outer surface of the center support 16 and theinner surface of the main body 12. A laterally extending dispensing slot24 is defined through the main body 12 and is in communication with thereceiving chamber 20. A dispensing cover 26 extends from the main body12 adjacent the dispensing slot 24. The dispensing cover 26 will bedescribed in more detail hereinafter.

A cover member 30 is configured for connection to the main body 12 suchthat the cover member 30 may be moved between an open position whereinthe receiving chamber 20 is accessible and a closed position wherein thereceiving chamber 20 is substantially sealed. In the illustratedembodiment, the cover member 30 has a planar surface 32 with a rim 34depending therefrom. The rim 34 is configured to fit about the outsidesurface of the main body 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the covermember 30 is connected to the main body 12 via a hinge 33. A latch 35 onthe cover member 30 is engageable with a post 37 or the like on the mainbody 12 to secure the cover member 30 in the closed position. While ahinge and latch are described herein, the invention is not limited tosuch. For example, the cover member 30 may instead be axially moveablerelative between the main body 12 with a friction fit between the rim 34and the main body 12 maintaining the cover member 30 in position.

An opening 36 defined through the planar surface 32 is coaxial with thehollow center support 16 such that a continuous passage extends from theplanar surface 32, through the center support 16 and through the endwall 14. The continuous passage is configured to receive a dowel or thelike of a standard toilet paper holder to allow the dispensing system 10to be mounted to the toilet paper holder (not shown). A stopper 22extends from a rear surface of the main body 12 and is configured tocontact the toilet paper holder, a wall surface, or the like to maintainthe position of the dispenser system 10 and prevent rotation thereofduring use.

In the dispenser system 10′ illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the stopper22′ includes a number of segments 42 a-42 d separated by frangiblesections 40 a-40 c. The segment 42 a is connected to the main body 12and is separated from segment 42 b by frangible section 40 a, which inturn is separated from segment 42 c by frangible section 40 b, which inturn is separated from segment 42 d by frangible section 40 c. With thisconfiguration, the user may break off segments 42 to define a stopperlength which coincides with the configuration of the user's toilet paperholder. While segments and frangible sections are shown, otherconfigurations may be utilized. For example, the stopper 22′ may have acontinuously narrowing configuration with lateral perforations whichallow breaking off of portions of the stopper to achieve a desiredlength. The dispenser system 10′ is otherwise substantially the same asin the previous embodiment and operates as described below.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an exemplary roll 50 of flushable moisttowelettes 52 is shown. The roll 50 includes a plurality of individualflushable towelettes 52 a, 52 b connected to one another at perforations54. The towelettes 52 are rolled about a central axis CA and define acentral through passage 56. The central through passage 56 may bedefined by a tube member (not shown) or may be formed in the manner ofrolling the towelettes 52. The roll 50 is configured to be positioned inthe receiving chamber 20 with the center support 16 extending throughthe central through passage 56. The first towelette 52 a is extendedthrough the dispensing slot 24 so that it partially extends from themain body 12.

As used herein, a towelette is considered flushable if it clears toiletsand properly maintained drainage pipe systems under expected productusage conditions; is compatible with existing wastewater conveyance,treatment, reuse and disposal systems; and becomes unrecognizable in areasonable period of time and is safe in the natural receivingenvironments.

The dispensing cover 26 may have various configurations to facilitatedispensing of the towelettes 52 while maintaining the moisture of thetowelettes within the dispenser system 10. In a simplest form, thedispensing cover 26 may simply be a disposable adhesive stripindependent of the main body 12. For example, the strip may be suppliedwhen a new roll 50 is purchased. It is adhered over the slot 24 with asmall portion of the towelette 52 extending past the strip until readyfor use whereby the strip may be loosened or removed to dispense atowelette 52 and thereafter replaced.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the dispensing cover 26 isformed integrally with the main body 12 and is of a flexible nature suchthat it may be pressed toward the main body 12, either to hold thetowelettes 52 while ripped off and/or to allow the cover 26 to generallyseal the slot 24 when not dispensing. In this regard, the dispensingcover 26 includes adhering regions 27 at each end thereof, preferablypositioned laterally wide of the slot, and thereby the towelette, whichmay be brought into contact with the main body 12 to retain the cover 26in a closed position. The adhering region may be a suitable adhesive,hook and loop fasteners, or any other suitable mechanism for releasablesecurement.

In the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, the dispensingcover 26″ is formed as an angled flap with a center depressing tab 28.The cover 26″ is again manufactured from an elastic material, forexample rubber or the like, and the tab 28 may be pressed against atowelette to secure the towelette during tearing. The device 10″ ofFIGS. 9-11 is further configured to automatically advance thetowelettes. In the illustrated embodiment, the stopper 22″ extends fromthe body 12″ and is configured to house a motion sensor 50 which ispowered by a battery 54 or the like and communicates with a motor 52through a microprocessor 57 which may be separate from or integral withthe sensor 50. Upon detection of motion through the sensor 50, the motor52 is operated to drive a gear 56. The gear 56 is connected via a belt58 or the like to a rotation assembly which supports the roll (notshown). In the illustrated embodiment, the rotation assembly includes apair of rotation members 60 connected together by biased struts 62. Therotation members 60 are rotatable about the center support 16 and thestruts 62 engage the roll such that rotation of the rotation member 60via the belt 58 causes the roll to rotate and advance a towelettethrough the slot 24. While not shown, the stopper 22″ may also includefrangible sections as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In other aspects, thedevice 10″ operates in the same manner as described above.

The main body 12, the center support 16, the stopper and the covermember 30 are preferably manufactured from a rigid plastic material,however, other materials may be utilized. The material may be designedin various colors and designs. The material is preferably treated withan antimicrobial agent as is known.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly,it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes ormodifications may be made to the above-described embodiments withoutdeparting from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It shouldtherefore be understood that this invention is not limited to theparticular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include allchanges and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of theinvention as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispensing system comprising: a hollow mainbody having a closed end and an open end and a dispensing slot throughthe main body between the ends; a hollow center support extending fromthe closed end such that a receiving chamber is defined between thecenter support and the main body; a cover member configured toselectively engage the main body between an opened position wherein thereceiving chamber is accessible and a closed position wherein thereceiving chamber is substantially sealed, wherein in the closedposition, a continuous passageway extends through the cover member, thecenter support and the end wall; a roll of individual flushable moisttowelettes interconnected to one another at perforations and rolledabout a central axis and defining a central through passage, the rollpositioned within the receiving chamber with the center supportextending through the central through passage and a first of thetowelettes extending at least partially through the dispensing slot. 2.The dispensing system of claim 1 further comprising a dispensing coverpositioned on external surface of the main body adjacent the main bodyand moveable between a first position wherein the towelettes are freelydispensable and a second position wherein the towelettes aresubstantially sealed within the main body.
 3. The dispensing system ofclaim 2 wherein the dispensing cover is an adhesive strip removablysecurable over the dispensing slot.
 4. The dispensing system of claim 3wherein the dispensing cover is disposable.
 5. The dispensing system ofclaim 2 wherein the dispensing cover is formed integrally with the mainbody.
 6. The dispensing system of claim 5 wherein the dispensing coveris flexible to facilitate movement between the first and secondpositions.
 7. The dispensing system of claim 6 wherein the main bodyincludes at least one adhering region aligned with the dispensing coverand configured to releasably secure the dispensing cover in the secondposition.
 8. The dispensing system of claim 7 wherein the dispensingcover has a length larger than a length of the dispensing slot andwherein one of the adhering regions is provided laterally outward ofeach end of the dispensing slot and each end of the dispensing cover isconfigured to engage a respective adhering region.
 9. The dispensingsystem of claim 5 wherein the dispensing cover is angled relative to thedispensing slot such that a central portion of the dispensing coverextends further from the dispensing slot than the ends of the dispensingcover.
 10. The dispensing system of claim 9 wherein the central portionof the dispensing cover includes a depressible tab.
 11. The dispensingsystem of claim 1 wherein the main body has a configuration configuredto contact an adjacent surface and prevent rotation of the main bodyrelative to a support member extending through the continuouspassageway.
 12. The dispensing system of claim 11 wherein the main bodyincludes a stopper extending from an outer surface of the main body. 13.The dispensing system of claim 12 wherein the stopper is configured suchthat the length thereof is adjustable.
 14. The dispensing system ofclaim 13 wherein the stopper includes a plurality of segmentsinterconnected at frangible sections.
 15. The dispensing system of claim1 further comprising a motion sensor attached to the main body andconfigured to advance a moist towelette from the dispensing slot upondetection of motion.
 16. The dispensing system of claim 15 wherein thecenter support includes a rotatable assembly configured to engage androtate with the roll of individual flushable moist towelettes.
 17. Thedispensing system of claim 16 wherein a drive assembly communicates withthe motion sensor and the rotatable assembly to facilitate rotation ofthe roll of individual flushable moist towelettes upon detection ofmotion.
 18. The dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the cover member ishingedly connected to the main body.
 19. A roll of flushable moisttowelettes comprising: a plurality of individual flushable moisttowelettes, each flushable moist towelette interconnected to an adjacentflushable moist towelette along perforations, wherein the interconnectedflushable moist towelettes are rolled about a central axis and define acentral through passage.
 20. The roll of flushable moist towelettes ofclaim 19 wherein the perforations extend parallel to the central axis.